American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

antagonize the disease processes within the blood. It prevents
disintegration of the red blood corpuscles, and increases the vital powers.
In scarlet fever, measles and smallpox the indications for this agent are
often conspicuous, and it will be found of first importance, especially if
there be great injection of the conjunctiva, swelling of the palpebrae,
extreme lachrymation and photophobia. In the latter stages of these
diseases when the skin is livid, the tongue red, or red and glazed, with.
offensive breath, and offensive discharges, and with failing vitality, it is
demanded.
In acute inflammatory rheumatism the indications for rhus are
conspicuous. The agent is often of first importance in this disease. It may
be alternated with aconite or other suggested remedy for the fever, or if
there be deep muscular soreness, with cimicifuga. Its value in all forms of
rheumatism is great, and cannot be explained on the basis of its
physiological action, as the homeopathists obtain excellent results from
very minute doses. It is given in chronic rheumatism and to relieve the
results of rheumatic inflammation.
In persistent dry, tickling bronchial coughs rhus is a good remedy,
whether they be acute or chronic. It is combined with or alternated with
bryonia or aconite in capillary bronchitis with those characteristic
coughs.
Dr. Hurd claims that when Lagrippe first made its appearance, the first
two cases had a guiding symptom that caused him to give full doses of
rhus tox. The patient would seize the head with both hands and groan as
if he were in agony. This peculiar frontal headache was relieved within
an hour by this remedy, establishing a line of investigation for its use.
The use of this remedy in small doses, internally, frequently repeated
with rhus poisoning, has long been advised. The experience of the editor
has confirmed the belief that it is of benefit.
When gastric or intestinal disorders in children induce cerebral
engorgement with great restlessness and flushed face, the specific
tongue, mouth and mucous membrane indications being present, rhus is
the remedy. These cerebral symptoms may be induced by any
inflammatory disease, and successfully cured with rhus. In adults they
are found in prolonged adynamic fevers, and often are a serious
complication. Rhus will meet other prominent indications often while
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 379